Beavers - Wildlife

Appearance

Beavers (Castor canadensis) are 3 to 4 feet long (nose to tail),
tail is 10 inches, and weigh 35 to 70 lbs. Body color is dark brown with
a large, flat paddle-shaped tail.

Behavior

Beavers pose little threat to humans, their property or pets. Beavers
are naturally shy animals. Beavers are fundamental to the creation,
maintenance and support of fragile wetland ecosystems. Wetland ecosystems
provide habitat to a diverse range of fish, birds, and mammals.

Beavers are primarily active at night and dusk. Beavers live in lodges
near water embankments. They construct lodges using branches, mud and
aquatic debris.

Beavers are social animals and live in complex family groups (colonies).
Beavers breed in winter and raise their young together. Gestation is 12
to 15 weeks. Young are born in May and June and weaned in 6 weeks. Young
beavers live with their family in lodge for two years before leaving to
establish their own family and lodge.

Diet

Beavers are herbivores. A natural diet primarily consists of woody
plants and aquatic plants. A modified diet can include farm crops such as
corn or soybeans.

Habitat

For information on managing wildlife interactions and resolving
human-wildlife conflicts, the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline is
available toll-free at (855) 571-9003, 8:00AM-4:30PM, Monday through
Friday.This helpline is a collaborative effort between the Virginia
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture - Wildlife Services.